Shoe



C. MILLER March 7, 1933.

snow

Filed March 18, 1931 Patented Mar. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES CHARLES MILLER, or LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW 20R]:

SHOE

Application filed March 18. 1931'. Serial No. 523,397.

The present :invention relates to shoes and more particularly to sandals or slippers for summer wear.

High grade shoes of the sandal type must be not only comfortable but also of durable construction and of smart, stylish appearance. Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a sandal of maximum comfort and durability and of pleasing style and appearance.

An important attribute of a sandal in the class of high grade shoes is its appearance by which it is readily distinguished from lower grade shoes. It is difliculh-to realize thisappearance in a sandal or similar shoe except at the expense of the wearers comfort. Another object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a comfortable sandal having the appearance of a more formal high grade shoe.

Sandals or similar shoes having instep straps provided with, buckles are frequently objectionable because the strap, especially when made of fabric or certain kinds of leather, tears at the portion engaged by the prong of the buckle. A further objectof the present invention is to provide a strap with. means to prevent it from being torn by the buckle.

Another object of the invention is generally to improve the construction of sandals or similar'shoes.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the shoe;

Fig. 2 is a too view;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, partly in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the shoe.

As shown in the drawing, the sandal comprises an outer sole 10, an exposed inner sole 11 of rugged construction, and a heel 12. At the upper, the sandal is constructed to expose the foot as much as possible. For 45 this reason, the upper is largely omitted at the sides. As here shown, the upper comprises a front upper section 13, adapted to cover very little more than the toes of the wearer, and a rear upper section 14 extend- 50 ing upwardly and adapted to cover only the rear portion of the heel ofthe wearer. The. rear upper/section 14 is preferably selfsustaining in an upright position and therefore, it comprises an intermediate layer 15 of relatively :stiff leather or. the like. The layer 15 may be coi'ered with upper leather on the outside and lining leather on the inside. As shown, the rear upper section is curved longitudinally and transversely to fit the heel of the wearer.

A counter Strap 18 isvsecured to the rear up per section 14 only at the top thereof and has forwardly extending horizontal portions 19 connected at their rear united portion to the top of the rear=npper section 15, preferably between the intermediate layer 15 and the covering layer. The portions 19' merge into downwardly extending straps 20 11116121, the lower ends of which are secured in place between the inner-and outer soles of the sandal, thus completing the attachment of the counter strap.= An instep strap 22 is formed integral with the counter strap 18 and constitutes therewith a combined counter and instep strap. Saidcombined counter and instep strap is attached only to said rear upper section and'between said inner and outer soles and isotherwise free from attachment thereby providing a sub stant'ially open counter portion in the shoe and exposing the inner sole at thelarch and heel portions thereof. The strap 22 is divided. one portion having a buckle and the other portion 24 having a series of apertures adapted to be engaged by the prong of the buckle in the usual way. The apertured portion 24 has a strip25" of leather or other. reinforcing material secured thereto "and provided with apertures in' registry vith the apertures in the strapv 24. thus reinforcing P the latter. This is a Yelp-(desirable. feature, particularly when the .strap is made of fabric or of leather that does not-resist wear, as it prevents the strap from being torn by the buckle. H

At the front of the shoe there is a strap, 26 secured at its lower ends to the sandal between the outer and inner soles and at its upper median portion 27 to a centrally disposed rearwardly extending tab or strap 28,

preferably formed integral with the front upper section 13. Another strap 29 1s secured at its lower ends to the sandal between the outer and inner soles and passes over the 5 tab 28.

Thus, the several objects of the invention are attained in the sandal herein shown and described. It will be observed that the inner sole is relatively thick and ofi'ers a firm but flexible support for the foot including the arch portion thereof; also, that the inner sole is wider than the outer sole, especially at the shank and heel portions of the shoe, thus providing increased comfort. Other advantages of the construction shown and described have been referred to or will be apparent, it being understood, however, that certain changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the invention which is tobe limited only in connection with the appended claims and the prior art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A sandal comprising an inner sole, an outer sole, a heel, a narrow self-sustaining upstanding rear upper section positioned entirely at the rear of said heel, and a strap attached to the top portion of said rear upper section, said strap having integral longitudinally and downwardly extending portions at both sides of the shoe having their ends secured in position in advance of the heel breast and separable instep strap portions integral with said longitudinally extending portions, the edges of said inner sole at both sides thereof being exposed between said rear upper section and the downwardly extending portions of said strap.

2. A sandal comprising an inner sole, an

outer sole, a heel, a relatively narrow selfsustaining unstanding rear upper section terminating near the rear of said heel, and a fabric strap attached to the top portion ofsaid rear upper section, said strap having longitudinally extending portions at both sides of the shoe, integral downwardly extending portions having their ends secured in position in advance of the heel, and separable instep strap portions integral with said longitudinally extending portions, the

edges of said inner sole at both sides thereof being exposed between said rear upper section and the downwardly extending portions of said strap, one of said inste porlions having an apertured section or cooperation with the prong of abuckle on the other instep portion, and a reenforcing strip secured to said apertured section having apertures in registry with the apertures in said section.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my signature.

CHARLES MILLER. 

